Chapter 74
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 74
Chapter Title The Foreign Language Magician
Since trainee Karis is from Estonia, wouldnt it be special if you sent a message in Estonian or English to your parents or friends back home, or to the overseas fans watching the broadcast? Thats what I was thinking. If you make it to the third ranking announcement, are you up for giving it a try?
The moment I heard her ask if I planned to share my thoughts in Estonian or English, I was at a loss for words.
I could sense the crown princes everstoic expression flicker ever so slightly, but there was nothing I could do about it.
I had to spin my brain as fast as possible.
The second I returned to reality, I used the systems power to fabricate my identity. That process secured me a visa and passport, and I even created additional documents proving that Karis von Walden was a real person born in Estonia
I could forge an identity, but language skills werent something I could fix by typing into the system window.
Trainee Karis?
When I didnt respond, the writer leaned forward with a worried look.
Are you okay? Did I touch on something sensitive?
Oh, Im fine. I was just picking the right wordssorry for the delay.
I forced a smile, trying not to show my panic.
I knew there were a lot of overseas national admin fans cheering me on. I always meant to mention them at the ranking announcements, but I kept forgetting in the heat of the moment.
Ah.
If Im lucky enough to survive the third ranking announcement, Ill definitely share my thoughts in three languages this time. Thank you so much for asking.
I thanked her first and foremost.
The rest of the interview went smoothly, with me thoroughly masking any hint of fluster.
Phew
I let out a deep breath as I left the interview room.
The deed was done.
Or, to be precise, it was a topic that wouldve surfaced eventually.
Better to see it as a good opportunity.
If you gave me the chance to mess with worldlines after crossing back to reality, shouldnt you handle these little details too?
We apologize, Possessor. But the identity settings only affect things that dont directly impact the body. They were purely
And then theres that random hidden quest failure penalty. The God said hed give me a system to help, but now I cant tell if the systems on my side or against me.
Karis von Waldens voice echoed through the living room.
I crossed my arms sternly and glared at the systems golden window.
The system hesitated, sending messages in fits and starts.
Were sorry for not being helpful, Possessor. But the hidden mission failure penalty is a core part of the game systemwe cant change it on a whim.
Then what about language skills? You could help with that right now, couldnt you?
Well search for something directly useful to you, Possessor. Please wait a moment.
Thats right.
I was in the middle of strongarming the system.
There was no way I could master Estonian at a native level before the third ranking announcementnot even a language prodigy could pull that off. It wasnt just vocab and grammar perfectly mimicking a local accent was impossible.
In Grand Quest Saga, I could converse naturally in the games language without trying.
But that was only possible because Id possessed the crown princes body, with all his knowledge intact.
In other words, instant language translation wasnt feasible here.
So I concluded I had no choice but to borrow the systems supernatural power.
After a long silence, the system finally messaged back.
Possessor, weve found the best solution for language skills. We can create a languagerelated skill as a reward for completing a specific quest.
So, if I complete the quest, I get a language skill as the reward?
Yes. Due to the questandreward structure, we cant arbitrarily adjust physical changes. So well offer a skill that massively boosts language learning ability as a quest reward.
It seemed like the systems best effort.
I nodded.
What quest do I need to complete?
A golden effect sparkled immediately, generating a new quest.
Special Quest Complete 3 Estonian Grammar Books has been created.
Reward Skill, Foreign Language Magician B
Foreign Language Magician B Allows fluent use of all languages except Korean at a certain level or higher. One userdesignated language reaches native level. Higher skill rank increases the number of designatable languages.
Foreign Language Magician.
The description made it an incredibly practical skill.
Not only could I boost my urgently needed Estonian to native level, but Id be decent in other languages too.
English, Japanese, Chinesethe ones Id use most abroadwould come easily.
Blackmail successful.
I grabbed my mask and hat, preparing to head to the bookstore.
Wait. Ill complete the quest right away.
Possessor, learning a language isnt easy. Three grammar books will take some time, so please take it slow
Ill show you my learning prowess.
Time to devour those Estonian grammar books.
A few days later.
Coming in.
You know its just me here.
Its just a habit.
Kang Siyoon entered my room, carrying a bag stuffed with food.
Feels like its been forever. When was the last time?
When we went to see the subway ads together.
Oh, right. We wrapped up a ton of gift bags here before heading out. Youve got a good memory, Karis.
Youre the weird one for not remembering, Siyoon.
Of course you remember every day weve spent together! Good boy, good boy!
I sighed openly at Kang Siyoons face.
There was no stopping him once he got hooked on mimicking Karis von Waldens speech patterns.
Bring out the spread already.
Isnt the host supposed to set everything up while the guest sits pretty?
Youre not a guest, Siyoon.
Huh?
So what are you?
An intruder wasting my free time.
Youre the one who brought up watching the broadcast together! How am I the intruder here?
It was a joke. Dont get worked up.
Wow, unbelievable.
I chuckled lightly and opened the bag hed brought.
It was packed with pasta ingredients for dinner and all sorts of snacks.
When did you learn to cook, Siyoon?
Ive done it at home sometimes. My parents come home late a lot, so I started selfteaching in high school, looking up recipes and stuff.
Kang Siyoon got up from the sofa and strode into the kitchen.
He immediately grabbed a pot and filled it with water.
Chefs orders. Youll just get in the way if you stand therewait in the living room.
You sure you dont want help?
Nah, nah.
Then I wont argue and relax.
Hey, at least pretend to offer once for the fun of it. Dont be so cold!
I ignored his pitiful plea and sank into the sofa.
Right next to my seat lay the English conversation book Id been reading earlier.
Good thing I hid all the Estoniarelated books in the bedroom.
The quest to complete three Estonian grammar books wasnt too hard.
They were beginnerfriendly ones designed for easy understanding, so I saved a ton of time.
The real challenge was memorizing the random Estonia trivia scattered throughout, separate from the grammar.
But as they say, no pain no gainI successfully acquired the Foreign Language Magician skill.
Might as well test it out.
I glanced at Kang Siyoon, diligently boiling the noodles.
Siyoon.
Yeah?
Youve never heard me speak my native tongue, right?
Obviously not. Youve only ever spoken Korean and never once brought up Estonian. Thats why I kept teasing you about actually being South Korean.
If I make it to the third ranking announcement, Im thinking of mixing in some foreign languages this time.
At my words, Kang Siyoon whipped his head around.
For real?
Yes.
Say something! Ive always wondered what Estonian sounds like.
Id only brought it up to test casually, but he lit up with excitement.
I cleared my throat and spoke some simple Estonian.
Tere õhtust. That means good evening.
Tere ohtust? Man, thats tough to pronounce.
Tervist. That means hello. Head aega. That means goodbye.
Dude, first time hearing Estonian in my life. Super unique pronunciation. Do more, do more!
I nearly blurted out that it was my first time speaking it too but held back.
After a few simple phrases, Kang Siyoon, whod been listening intently, suddenly narrowed his eyes.
But, Karis.
Hm?
You didnt just curse at me in Estonian knowing I wouldnt understand, right?
What kind of scoundrel do you take me for!
Oh, even better? Guess Ill pick up some Estonian swears to use on Yubin.
Heo Yubin, whod missed out due to family dinner, was the only pitiful one here.
After verifying the Foreign Language Magician skill worked perfectly, we dug into the steaming hot pasta.
It tasted almost identical to storeboughtI was impressed.
Really delicious.
Of coursewho do you think made it? Even I get tons of praise for my cream pasta.
Kang Siyoon had some unexpected talent in cooking.
We scarfed down the pasta, then lounged with dessert.
Oh, the live broadcast is starting soon.
It was time for Idol Training Simulation episode 9.
We turned on the TV and waited reverently for the intro.
Think Ill show up right at the start of episode 9?
Wouldnt that be better? Your solo cam drops first, drawing all the attention.
True, but if it airs too soon, it kinda kills the hype a bit.
Kang Siyoon smiled faintly, crunching on peanut snacks.
The upbeat intro to Idol Training Simulation ended, and a black screen appeared.
A dark, ominous BGM kicked in as the preview began.
.
.
Haa
You think I didnt want center?
A familiar line rang out.
I stared wideeyed at the full shot of the A team practice room on screen.
Kwon Daehyun sighed in frustration.
Across from him, Chae Eungyu hung his head without a word.
Karis von Walden, looking subtly pissed, kept glancing at the practice room door.
Yoo Minha and Baek Sihwa stared silently at the floor.
The screen cut to black again.
If a member ruins teamwork for personal greed, theyre a burden to everyone.
My words to Chae Eungyu flowed out softly.
?
Hey, heythats your team. Whats going on?
Kang Siyoons question didnt register.
I just kept staring blankly at the TV.
Stop. Your moves wrong there.
Wait, waitone more time. Wrong again.
Expression! Cute and fresh!
Clips showed Chae Eungyu biting his lip in exhaustion during practice.
Then quick cuts of the other teammates faces.
Some looked flustered.
Others frustrated, practice not going well.
Honestly, I think its a mindset issue.
This needs fixing.
EP 09 What is a Team?
And like the finishing touch, the ominous title capped off the preview.